Πηρεφόνεια

Grammatical information: f.

Meaning: Spouse of Hades (Pluto), queen of the underworld; as a daughter of Demeter, identified as Κόρη (Ion. since h. Cer. and Hes.)

Other forms: - φόνεια (Il. a. Od.). Several byforms: Φερσε-φόνα (Simon., Pi., Thess.), - φόνεια (H.), Πηριφόνα (Locr.), Πηρεφόνεια (Lac. after H.); with diff. ending: Περσέ-φασσα (A.), Φερσέ-φασσα (S., E.), Φερρέ-φαττα (Pl., Ar., Att. inscr.) a.o. (P.-W. 19, 945ff., Kretschmer Glotta 24, 236) with the sanctuary Φερ(ρ)εφάττ-ιον n. (D., AB).

Derivatives: From it the plantname Περσεφόνιον, Φερ- (Ps.-Dsc.), s. Strömberg Pfl. 100 w. lit.

Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]

Etymology: As common basis of the "1. member" one may posit Φερσε-; from there through breath-dissimilation, comp.lengthening etc. the diff. forms; Πηρι- after Άρχι- a.o. (cf. Schwyzer 281 a. 444). Orig. Περσε- is however quite as well possible; then Φερσε- through assimilation to - φασσα. For - φόνεια beside - φόνη cf. Πηνελόπεια beside -η; - φασσα, - φαττα from *-φατ-ι̯α can have had an orig. nasal (-n̥-t-i̯ǝ), through which - φασσα would come closer to - φόνη (and - φόν-της). -- Without convincing etymology. The "2. member" is often connected with φόνος `murder', θείνω `kill' (Eust. on κ 491, Fick-Bechtel PN 465, Kretschmer Glotta 24, 236 f.) by diff. interpretation of the 1. member. After Ehrlich KZ 39, 560 ff. however "the one rich in produce", from a noun *φέρος and IE * gʷhen- `swell, to be full of' (which one supposes a. o. in εὑθενέω [s. v.]); in spite of the agreement of Fraenkel Lexis 3, 61 ff. and Heubeck Beitr. z. Namenforsch. 5, 28 ff. (with lit.) not to be recommended. Pelasgian hypothesis, partly following Ehrlich, by v. Windekens Beitr. z. Namenforsch. 8, 168 ff. -- As long as no better explanations from IE are put forward, the word must be considered Pre-Greek; thus a.o. v. Wilamowitz Glaube 1, 108f. w. n. 3, Nilsson Gr. Rel. 1, 474.

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